Thanksgiving Leftovers? Try this recipe tonight!

This is probably my favorite casserole...hands down. 
And if you have leftover stuffing and turkey from Thanksgiving...this would be a perfect go to meal for those leftovers!
(Just substitute the box stuffing and chicken for your leftovers.)

Chicken-Broccoli-Stuffing Casserole

2 lbs. chicken breasts
1 bag frozen broccoli florets
2 cans (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayo
1 (6oz) box of cornbread stuffing
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cut the chicken into 1 inch squares and cook until no longer pink.  Steam the broccoli.  Make the cornbread as directed on the box.

Layer the cornbread stuffing first in a 9x13 baking dish.  Top with chicken and then broccoli florets.  Mix the soup and mayo and spread over everything.  Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until bubbly at the sides.

Mmmm!!

Christmas Fun

I think the day after Thanksgiving is one of the best days of the year. :)  We usually enjoy eating all the Thanksgiving leftovers!  Mmm...Thanksgiving leftovers are just the best.  No cooking...just eating and enjoying!

We also enjoy decorating our Christmas tree.  Isn't that fun?  We turn on the fireplace, eat Christmas cookies and drink egg nog, crank up the Christmas music and go to work on the tree. :)

Then after the tree is decorated and the boxes put away...we pick a Christmas movie to enjoy.  (My top two favorites are It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.)

Eat more.  Maybe watch a second movie with the lights off - just the tree.  Cuddle in a blanket.

This year, for the first time since we moved to Nevada in 2008, we get to be with my family.  We are in the Portland, OR area and this year will be much different than our normal Friday after Thanksgiving traditions.  We are hoping to do a trip to the ocean! :)  So more updates and photos to come! 

I hope you are having a fun filled day with special traditions with the ones you love.

Thanksgiving 2017

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

I pray your day is blessed in every way.

A Lost Treasure Found for This Thanksgiving

Remember those home videos I mentioned in my recent post?  I wanted to share something very special that we came across in it.

Our brother-in-law, Josh, was going around in our reception and was asking everyone if they wanted to give some marriage advice to Eric and Rebekah.

He came to my Grandma Holt.  Grandma was my only living grandparent on my wedding day.  She gave her advice on the camera (which she hated by the way! LOL!) and then he went on to the next person.

We listened to her voice...we saw her again...and tears for both of us began to fall.  Grandma went to Heaven when our youngest was 10 months old.  She is now seven.

My husband sent me this text the next morning..."I really enjoyed watching those home videos last night.  It was sentimental and sweet.  I have been reminiscing about grandma's advice to us...that made me tear up."

Me too, babe.

Thanksgiving was always a wonderful memory for me growing up in Ohio.  We would go to Grandpa and Grandma's house for the traditional meal with the aunts, uncles and cousins.  Late afternoon, the moms and dads would leave for home and us grandkids would stay at Grandma's house.  I would say it was the best night of the year. :)

We would eat leftovers from that day.  Grandma would make some type of treat - usually caramel corn over the stove.  Sometimes a batch of peanut butter fudge.  Grandma had a sweet tooth!

We would then decorate her Christmas tree.  Those old, fragile ornaments.  And the tinsel!  Grandma would save the tinsel and reuse it every year.  The grown-ups teased her about it but as a kid, I thought it was beautiful. :)

We played board games.  We turned the kitchen table into a ping pong table and had mini tournaments.  We listened to Christmas records...yes, records!...on the record player.  After we finished all the decorating, we would turn out all the lights except for the blinking tree and "pose".  You could only move when all the lights were off.

We would drag the mattresses from the spare bedrooms into the living room and sleep there.  And when the lights would go off, we would commence our annual sock fight.  We would roll up our socks into balls and have a fight.  I don't know who started that tradition but we did it.  LOL!  Occasionally, if we got too loud, Grandma would call out from her bedroom - "Whoever doesn't be quiet gets a dose of castor oil!"  Ha!  

The next morning, Grandma would wake us up with her cow bell...yep, a cow bell!  We would have cinnamon rolls, that she would make from frozen bread dough, and glasses of cold milk.  After breakfast, we would hang up the Christmas bells, stars, and Santas onto the windows, that Grandma had made from egg cartons.

It was a sad time when Dad and Mom came to pick us up.  Until next Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for those memories...my extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, my Christmas ornaments from Grandma's tree, and now, that special video of her. 

This year, we are traveling to my sister's home in Oregon.  I am bringing those home videos.  I am going to cry.  (I am crying as I write this already.  LOL!) 

For life changes and people go away. 

So take time today to be grateful for who you have. 

One day, they may be only a special memory.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

What I Don't Have

This is the month that we often think of what we are thankful for.

I was thinking the other day...You know what I am thankful for?  I am thankful for what I don't have.  

Why? 

Because you are more grateful when you don't have.  Things that are given to you are the big blessings.

Yes, there are many times when I wish or pray for things I don't have.  There are times that I think...if only I had that...I would be happy.  If only I had that, I would be content.  If only I had that, that's all I would want.

But if I had everything or had the ability to buy whatever I would want, I would lose out on the blessings.  The blessing of the love of a friend.  The blessing of my God showing me His love and miracles in my life.

A story...several years ago, our friend named Frank, bought a new washer/dryer set.  He asked if we would like his old set.  It still worked fine.  We said, Absolutely!  At that time, the washer/dryer we had was from Craig's List.  The dryer took about three cycles just to dry one load.

I was so blessed!  We have had that set for several years and boy, did it get a lot of use.  This summer, we had the washer leak a few times.  We had someone look at it and seemed to fix it but then it leaked some more.  He said, It is also leaking oil.  You may want to consider just buying another washer.

Well, it is like many times in life, you know something is coming but you don't want to think about it.  I mean life throws enough things at you like doctor bills and car repairs and on and on.  The last thing I wanted to think about was adding a washer to my list of things to pay for/save for.

So I prayed.  "God, you know we have need of a washer.  Before it goes completely out, would you provide one for us?"

I kind of forgot about it.  It actually stopped leaking and I thought, Thank you, Jesus!  I'll take it!

Last month, a good friend texted me and said, "Hey, we are buying a new washer and dryer.  Would you like our old ones?  They are still in good shape."  Sound familiar? :)

You see, I could have the "blessing" of being a tad more wealthy and being able to go purchase a new washer and dryer.  But I like my "blessings" better.  

They keep me humble.  They keep me relying on my Heavenly Father and not on myself.  I can see the love from others when God uses them to be the avenue of the blessing.  The greatest people that you love to bless are those that are truly in need because they are the most grateful.

So, what am I thankful for?  

I"m thankful for what I don't have.  

It truly is the best place to be.

Ten Tips to Prepare for Thanksgiving Day

We are not hosting Thanksgiving meal at our home this year but here are the tips that have helped me personally the many years that we have been the host. :)

Here are my ten tips in preparation for Thanksgiving Day:

1.  Clean out your refrigerator.  

You will need room for your Thanksgiving dishes as well as leftovers after the meal.

2.  Put beverages in fridge to chill.

3.  Gather all items needed for set up on that day.  

Example:  Tablecloths, napkins, dinnerware - Count out how many you will need for the number of guests you are expecting.  (I set my table the night before! :)

Serving dishes - very important! Some dishes you may not use very often such as the turkey platter. Find all you will need.  Place the items with the dish if possible.  For example:  Chips with the chip/dip tray.  Olives and pickles with their dish.

Cooking utensils - extremely important!  What items do you need to cook that turkey?  Thermometer, baster, baking bag, etc.  Place them all together.

4.  Have plastic containers ready to place leftovers in.  With their matching lids. :)

5.  Prepare as many dishes as you are able to the day before.  

This will definitely ease your Thanksgiving morning work load.  Many dishes you can prepare and place in a slow cooker the night before.  Then simply plug in Thanksgiving morning!

6.  Use slow cookers to keep food warm in until the meal.  For example:  I remember someone always mashing the potatoes at the very last minute before our Thanksgiving meal.  A slow cooker is a wonderful way to keep them warm and ready to serve and you will be able to properly host your guests as they arrive.

7.  Create a drink station.  

I like to set up a small table for hot drinks - coffee, tea, hot cocoa, cider. I have one coffeemaker with coffee prepared and one with just hot water.  Also have a place for your cold drinks on ice where the guests can help themselves throughout the day.  

8.  Choose your outfit the night before.  

Yes, I know, it is a holiday and you will be cooking.  I encourage you though to dress up a little!  AKA...leave your pajama pants and slippers at home. :)

9.  Make your home cozy and inviting as possible.  

Have fresh flowers for your table.  Use real tablecloths and napkins.  Have scented candles burning.  

10.  Put on a smile.  

You may not have the Norman Rockwell scene happen in your home.  But you can make it a time of happiness with those you love.

Thanksgiving Recipe: The Holt Family Cheeseball

Today, I thought I would share with you a recipe given to our family by my Aunt Connie.  We enjoy this cheeseball on holidays and get-togethers.

I nicknamed it the "Holt Family Cheeseball".  :)

2 packages cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Accent salt
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 packages deli beef, chopped  (Divided)

Add all ingredients together minus one package of the beef. Mix well with a mixer.  Put in serving dish and top with the second package of beef, chopped.  Serve with crackers.

Thanksgiving Recipe: Creamy Corn Casserole

This is one of my favorite holiday recipes.  A pastor's wife, Mrs. Vaprezsan, gave me this recipe years ago and our family has used it since then.  It has become a family tradition.  
I made it for the first time for my family for Thanksgiving in 1999...yes, in the 1900's!  LOL!  
We will be making it this Thanksgiving - enjoy!

It is so moist and delicious...it will not disappoint.

Creamy Corn Casserole

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 can creamed corn
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 container (8 oz.) sour cream
2 eggs, beaten
1 package cornbread mix
1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies

In a large bowl, combine butter, creamed corn, and whole kernel corn.  Stir in sour cream and eggs.  Add cornbread mix, blend well.  Stir in chilies.  Pour batter into a greased 13x9 baking dish.  Bake 35-40 min. or until lightly browned and toothpick comes out clean.

Thanksgiving Recipe: Cranberry Sauce

Guest post:  Jenny Musser

Today I'm going to share an amazing recipe for cranberry sauce for your Thanksgiving dinner!  This recipe is so easy and you can make it the night before.  It's as easy as opening a can and slicing up that perfectly molded can shaped "cranberry sauce".  I found this recipe on the Taste of Home website @ Cranberry Sauce. 

*I originally posted this recipe in 2014.  It is now an every year must for our Thanksgiving dinner!  It is absolutely delicious!

  

Ingredients:
1 cup cranberry-raspberry juice
1 cup of sugar
1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring juice and sugar to a boil. Add cranberries; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the berries pop, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice. cool. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled. 

Yield: 11 servings.

June 23, 2001...The Makings of a Magnificent Marriage

Sunday night, my girls were sitting with me on the couch and they began to ask me questions about when they were babies after I showed them the above picture.  This is our Summer and Autumn.

Who was the cutest?  Who was the funniest?  Of course, everyone loves to hear stories about themselves and it is fun to reminisce. 

My husband was listening to us and suddenly jumps up and goes to the hall closet.  He brings back our ancient video camera (that we bought back in 2001!) and our old home movies.  We laughed until the tears rolled down our faces.  Our babies back then...now teenagers.  It was so much fun!

My husband then put in our wedding video.  We couldn't remember when the last time was that we had watched it...it had definitely been a few years!  I was sitting on the floor and Sierra came to sit on my lap.  I had my arms around her and my husband came and sat behind me...his arms wrapped around me.  We sat there and watched as we said our vows and then it went to our reception and then to our honeymoon to Gatlinburg.

As I watched the old home movies, I thought...Boy, weren't we happy?  Are we that happy today?  Well, we all want to think we live happily ever after when in reality...that is an unrealistic expectation.

I'm reading a book for the second time called Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?

Wow.  I have read many books on marriage but I believe this one is probably number one on my list that has been the most convicting.  And just what I need.

One of the best pieces of advice I have taken away from this book is believing that much of the dissatisfaction we experience in marriage comes from expecting too much from it.  We are asking each other to fill a spiritual craving and emptiness that they can not do.  We are seeking a person that will never let us down...love us with a perfect love...always be truthful...be the person we can look at with utmost respect...and friends, that can never be in a human relationship.

So in all fairness, we need to stop expecting from our spouses.  We need to work on ourselves and the only relationship that will fill that hole of longing deep inside us...let's work on our relationship with our Savior.

So, I'm watching us on the movie and realized...yep, we were the same old sinners we are now.  We had the same struggles and sins.  He wasn't a better husband back then than he is now.  And I'm definitely not a better wife.

Then why do we get in these moments of frustration, dissatisfaction, hopelessness, anger at our marriage and our spouses?  Because we are expecting too much.

This is something that is a huge struggle for me.  I am working on it continually.  I hope in some way that you will be encouraged to do the same.

Keep the real reason of marriage in front of you! 

"A magnificent marriage begins not with knowing one another but with knowing Christ."

What Changing Jobs Taught Me

Something the Lord has convicted my heart about in the last three months is my sin of pride.  I know the Bible says many things about pride.  Here are a few...

"Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment." Psalms 73:6

"Only by pride comes contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom." Proverbs 13:10

"A man's pride will bring him low, but honor will uphold the humble in spirit." Proverbs 29:23

"For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, may they be snared by their pride, and because of curses and lies that they speak." Psalms 59:12

I used to ponder why God hates pride so very much.  I believe he hates it because it leads to so many other sins.  Pride is the beginning of the path.

Why?  Because pride doesn't seem like a sinful thing, does it?  And we certainly don't usually see it in ourselves.

I see pride in our hearts when we talk about others and their shortcomings.  Ouch!  Looking back, I see how many times I did that.  I talked about someone else and their faults...oh, not in a way to help.  But in a prideful way.  Look at them...look at me.

We all have strengths and we all have weaknesses.  I think I had a reality check when I changed jobs three months ago.  I went from working overnights for five years to suddenly a day job.  I will be honest - I struggled.  No matter how organized and put together I had claimed to be before...I felt like I was drowning now.  Trying to manage 10 hour work days, home school, housewife duties, relationships, church...I mean I struggled.  It took several weeks to even get back to where I wanted it to be and even then, there were and are bad days.  I sure didn't feel prideful about anything that first month or two.

It humbled me.  A lot.  You see, when you feel you have your life together (and maybe someone is looking at you and saying, wow!), you can easily develop pride. 

And the Bible says it is not what goes into the heart that will defile you...it is what comes out of the heart that defiles you. 

Wow, that truth gets me every time.  It is my own heart that is ruining me!

Pride definitely leads to being critical.  And being critical leads to hurt relationships.  

I definitely have been on the side of hurting others...and I've been on the side of being hurt.  Both stemmed by pride.  I've decided I don't want to live there anymore.  Let others have their pride...I don't want it in my life.  I want to be the person that speaks well of others.  The person that looks for a way to help or encourage instead of criticize.  The person who is different in Christ.  I hope you will join me!